During the last week of March it was announced that there will be a public hearing on the revised master plan for the Harris Ranch development off of Warm Springs on Boise's east side. The Harris Ranch development is one of Boise's first large planned community developments, dating back into the mid-90's. It was a project that was proposed for more than 3000 acres of agricultural and foothill land owned by the Harris family. In the past, the property has been the site of farms, as well as a lumber mill, and the early 1900s Barber townsite. The original plans called for nearly 1800 homes, as well as the construction of a bridge across the Boise River at the end of Parkcenter connecting to Warm Springs Avenue. The city had placed restictions on the number of homes that were allowed to be built before the bridge was finished, and the project was shelved in 2003 after the Spring Creek and Mill District neighborhoods were constructed. The City planners, the Mayor, and the developers have been working towards getting the project going again, and with the announcement of the public hearing, it appears the project is alive again.
The City of Boise website has a copy of the new, revised project on its website, as well as a new project map. If anything, the new design is more public and environmentally friendly, with plenty of open space, and revised densities. It is also quite a bit larger than the original plan, showing 2,800 residential units, a site for a school, and 1.5 million feet of commercial space. The project map also show a projected hotel and convention center, with a resort spa that takes advantage of the area's geothermal resources. New sections of greenbelt along the Boise River are also included.
As might be expected, the traffic issues are of particular concern, and the new plans address those with a number of roundabouts, and The planned bridge over the Boise River connecting Parkcenter and Warm Springs near the Bown community is expected to be built in 2008-2009. The Ada County Highway Department will hold a public hearing and make its recommendations to the City later in April, after the City's public meeting. The City of Boise Planning and Zoning meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, April 2nd, at City Hall beginning at 6:00pm.
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